What to Consider When Choosing Birth Control

Your choices can be overwhelming. You’ve got over a dozen options to pick from — each with its pros and cons. When it comes right down to it, the best birth control is the method you’re most likely to use. But here are some other things to consider as you decide.

Family Planning
If you hope to start a family soon, you’ll want a method that you can easily stop when you’re ready, such as birth control pills or condoms.

On the other hand, if you’re not thinking about having kids in the near future, long-lasting and reversible options, like an intrauterine device (IUD) implanted in your uterus or a birth control implant in your arm, may be more convenient and effective. These methods can last for several years before you have to replace them.

If you’re sure you don’t want kids, you may decide on a permanent form of birth control. If you’re a woman, you can have a tubal ligation. You might hear this called “getting your tubes tied.” Men can have a vasectomy.

Breastfeeding
If you’re nursing, your chances of getting pregnant are lower, but you’ll still need some type of birth control. You’ll also need to make sure that the option you choose doesn’t impact your breast milk.

Ease and Timing of Use
Birth control comes in many different forms. Pick a method that you are most likely to use correctly.

With birth control pills, you’ll have to remember to take it every day at the same time. The patch you’ll need to change every week. With condoms, you’ve got to have them on hand and use them correctly every time. You have to place spermicide in your vagina no more than 1 hour before sex, and it has to stay there for as many as 8 hours after.

Protection Against STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Condoms are the only type of birth control that can also protect against STIs. If this is a concern for you and your partner, you’ll need to use a new one each time you have sex, whether or not you use another form of birth control.

Menstrual Periods
Some types of birth control come with an added perk. They stop or greatly reduce menstrual flow. If this is an important feature for you, ask your doctor which methods bring this benefit.

Side Effects and Safety
Some types of birth control have side effects or put you at risk for certain health conditions. Some forms may not be safe for people who have a specific health condition or take a particular medication. Your doctor can explain which methods would be least likely to cause unwanted side effects and which would be safest for you, based on your health and any problems that run in your family.